Szilvia74

I do not understand what you are saying. You say "she can speak and understands everything people say" and then you say "Her English I would say is below average". This does not make sense to me. I speak very good English and have been in the US for 6 years and I still don't understand everything people say. Maybe she guesses what people say rather than understands. Anyway, it is hard if you are afraid to make mistakes in a foreign language and that can make you shy. I did that a lot, even today sometimes. I rather not say it if I think it has a mistake. I bet she is like me that she feels people judge her because she doesn't speak the language well or even just because she has an accent.

Does she have a hobby (other than the gym)? Perhaps a group she could join so she can make friends that she can be more ease with? I know it's not easy.

My wife (then fiancee) came here less than a month ago (3 weeks). She attends college for ESL. Her English I would say is below average but she can speak and understands everything people say. Since I speak Russia fluently she speaks Russian at home. However, she is ashamed speaking English to strangers. It developed into some kind of mental block when she almost refuses to see my friends (obviously they do not speak Russian). She loves gym and works-out every day. However, she uses only our gym and refuses to join the fitness club (even though she loves it) because she would have to speak to people there. I see that she is heavily depressed because of this and I do not know how to help her. Any suggestions? Thoughts? Anyone's fiancee experienced this type of block? Ho do you overcome it? It is like catch22. She is afraid to speak to people because she is not good but she will never be good until she starts speaking. Personal experience advice would be helpful. This affect our lives in a major way.

You need not to worry about the $3500, that's a first homebuyer's credit. As far as I know there is no written payment plan there. I have the credit too because we bought a house and I didn't even mention on the interview. It's a CREDIT the IRS gave you. You only OWE money to the IRS if you didn't include it in your taxes each year (started paying it back). At the same time you have to somehow figure out what you need to do because your husband illegally took that IRS credit. Is your name on the title (of the house)? Or do they assume you own the house because you are married to him? You need to clear up that mess.

Again lying on a tax return or owing money to the IRS (without being able to explain why) is a serious offense in the eyes of the USCIS...

Since you are applying under the 5-year rule, your martial status, whether separated, living in sin with a bunch of playmates, or bangin' monkeys, is completely irrelevant, as is your marriage certificate.

All that matters is that you filed an income tax return every year, have the tax transcripts to prove it, and, in case you owe the IRS bloodsuckes $3,500 over a period of 15 years, that you have a written arrangement about this. What they basically want to make sure of is that you are on good terms with Uncle Sam. A payment plan would be sufficient for that purpose.

So you guys always lived together? If so you have nothing to worry about. Go to the interview with your husband. You can bring a sworn & notarized statement from both of you saying that you have always lived together. A statement from friends helps too. Explain the IO that you were so nervous that you didn't understand what she was asking.

If they don't believe you they may not approve the application but I believe you can always appeal.

I am sorry that you got so nervous. I hope everything will go well at the interview!

I don't want to sound mean but you basically lied on your tax return. I still don't understand why YOU didn't file married filing separately even if your husband filed as single.

You will have a lot of explaining to do on the citizenship interview. All you can hope for is a nice IO.

Amending your tax return is definitely a step to the right direction.

My interview was about a month and a half later than the biometrics, so I think you should be fine. What is your location? You can try to do a search on this site around the timelines in your filing location to get a better idea of when the interview would be.

Yes I believe there is a rule that says that you need to have resided within a state/district for at least 3 months before you can apply for naturalization on your location. Where did you go for the interview in NJ? It probably means that they need to wait 3 months before they can start processing your application. If this happened you are into a long wait.

2 weeks is nothing (esp. the case is what I stated above), some offices are also very slow and don't even bother looking at the case status on the USCIS website...

Franki,

I don't want to speak for everyone but people who replied to you told you what our advices are based on our knowledge and experience.

One more thing I can advice: there is a forum that is run by an immigration lawyer. I believe this is the link: http://www.immigration-information.com/forums/forum.php. He has a lot of experience.

Best to your friend.

If you got your citizenship same day or week the process for you would take you only 2 months! WOW that would probably be a record.

Try to look for timelines on this site and then contact the people who did their interview in Philly. Perhaps they can help you.

Hi all VJer,

I know you think if I have waited all these 5 years, then why do I want to rush over couple more days... But honestly, it does matter for me right now. So my question is: I am going to my interview in Philadelphia, and I know I am not getting the same day oath because my interview is at 2:30 pm.

So my question is when do you think I will have the oath?.. How can I possibly have a sooner oath ceremony???... I need it ASAP. I am traveling AND I need it to file form my fiance... So please please let me know/ Especially ho have experience with same day or people in Philadelphia..

Thanks!>..

And what happens after 120 days? Did they say?

Do you have to sue them to get a decision?

if it helps I also interviewed in Dallas on March 4th and got the exact same answer. When I asked why the cldnt make a decision they said that my file had been lost. I believed that until I came here and found many people who had been told the same thing. When I last went to an info pass appt they told me to wait 120 days.

That is a really good question! I want to know that too. I am moving and I would love to place them into the recycling bin rather than bringing many lb stuff on the road.

After I become a citizen, will be it be safe to start to destroy my old immigration documents? I have a lot of stuff, even the flight tickets from when we got here.

I would have no problem helping out in natural disasters or any other non-combat situations. I understand that military does this too but other non-military organizations as well.

I would think the oath alliance is towards the United States as a country not towards particular individuals (family, friends, neighbor etc).

I have no bad feelings towards those people who say yes they would bear arms but when the time came have no intention to do so. I am getting my citizenship mainly for practical reasons too. And the whole process was not cheap either!

Green card = residency card. You need to be a RESIDENT to keep hold on to it. If you live somewhere else and just visiting the country in the next 4 years, you are not a resident just a tourist. And as previously stated when the time comes for naturalization she needs to prove how many days she PHYSICALLY spent here. A few days in a year will not be enough.

Your friend needs to make a choice:

apply for naturalization now (if she is eligible) and wait until it's over remaining in the usa for about 4-8 months or leave and lose her 10 year green card.

Two friends moved to Bolgota couple of months ago. They love it! Just saying

Don't worry about it. I got my appointment within 3 weeks. Perhaps you should tell at work that they need to be a lil' more flexible with you for the next 2 stages of the naturalization as it is not that easy to reschedule interview and oath as it is the bio...

Sure!

I listed 'couchsurfing' LOL

Info here:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=4c790a5659083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=4c790a5659083210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

Thank you for your thoughtful replies!

For some of you I just like to say that believe it or not answering that you are unwilling to bear arms on the behalf of the US does not mean that you cannot be a citizen. No is an accepted reply. And I think this is right. I actually have a (male) friend why answered no on the application forms and he had no problem becoming a citizen. We are in a free country, aren't we?

As for me I am not sure how I am going to answer (I still have 3 weeks to decide). Yes I could just say yes I would bear arms like I am sure some people do without thinking but then I also have to be ok with not being truthful.

I'd like to change what I said before. When I re-read my own words I was a little surprised (LOL). I think I said something like I would have no problem using a weapon. Well, I wouldn't say that is true. I mean, yeah I would shoot a dummy object but it would be very hard to convince me to shoot anything living. Taking a life is just something that is not in me. Even more than that I just don't agree with wars, period. I think patriotism is not about the willingness of physically defending your country, I even dare to say that at times it can be argued to be the opposite. I hope I didn't hurt anyone's feelings, this is just my opinion at this time.

Hi,

I started a similar tread here yesterday. I actually checked yes on the forms but now I am re-thinking it before the Oath.

As far as I know that is not a problem. I have a friend that did that. I am waiting for his answer to see what they asked him etc when he checked he does not want to bear arms. I can let you know his answer later in the week. At the same time I think your husband does not need any proof, he should just answer truthfully if they ask why.

I read somewhere that they cannot deny citizenship if one refuses to bear arms anymore so this should not cause any problems.

Nameste,

Szilvia

My husband (the alien) and I (the USC) have been discussing this. He is a life-long Buddhist, although he doesn't really have any proof of this. Most of his ethnic group in his birth country of Nepal are Buddhist. This question gets complicated for him. If he were a USC by birth, he would likely claim CO status during a draft. He would be more than willing to serve in a non-combat support position like a medical unit. He's over 40 now, so I think (hope) the chance of him even being eligible would be slim to none, but who knows?

What happens if you answer "no"? What kind of proof would be adequate to show that one is Buddhist and has a religious objection to taking up arms in defense of the US?

Any (kind and helpful) guidance is appreciated. And I thought of piggy-backing on the related topic thread but decided against it because we are still in the application phase.

Thanks!

Maya

I am going to my Oath soon too. I assume only bring it with you if you have one...

That is why the question "Has there been any change in your willingness to bear arms on behalf of the

United States".

Again I am just wondering if anyone here has any experience with this...

I think you might be over thinking it... Besides, if you already have your oath scheduled, then you already told an immigration officer that you'd be willing to bear arms when you were interviewed.

Thanks Nick. I have no problem with using a weapon but I would only bear arms if I agree with the cause. I would like to have a choice. If I say I have a "willingness to bear arms on behalf of the United States" I take it it means I need to help defend the country whatever the reason is.

I am a woman and also probably would be over the age limit for drafting. But in a way it doesn't matter. To me the question is more theoretical: Am I really willing to bear arms on behalf of the United States in any circumstances?

Sure was a big issue with my wife, neighbor army major came over and we had a round table discussion on this issue. During WW II, draft age was increased to 35 years of age, but strictly for males, females were exempt, she is a female. And don't tell her I told you this, she is over 35 years of age. During the Viet Nam "police action", never was a declared war, maximum age for males was 26 years of age.

In our nuclear age, handing her a musket to shoot down a missile is not much protection, but at least its something, and no longer discrimination between "innocent civilians and military. If an enemy does come here, anyone will be shot. If that happens, wouldn't be nice to have a single shot 22? She did agree to that, but as far as putting her in a remote front line, extremely unlikely. Even at that, if in the military, less than 10% of the troops are actually involved in combat. My neighbors wife was shipped to Iraq, she is a physicians assistant, but served in a well guard compound, she is in the national guard.

My stepdaughter has no issue with this, but she likes to kick butt, but again the odds are so thin, will never be called. If she was, the rest of us will volunteer to defend, maybe not our country, nor our president, but certainly our family.

I really don't feel this is an issue, but over 60 million people were killed during WW II and practically none of them had weapons to defend themselves. If we were in that situation, all of us will be glad to have some kind of weapon. I would like to have an F-22 loaded with nuclear bombs, how about you?

I just asked if anyone has any experience with this (I still don't know how I want to answer).

To answer your question: I think I need to know more information on the attack/situation before I bear those arms. Politics is complicated ya' know.

You'd be unwilling to bear arms if the United States was under attack?

Hi All,

Finally I have the date of my oath ceremony (YEESS and I can even make it)!

I am just wondering if anyone here answered yes to this question: "Has there been any change in your willingness to bear arms on behalf of the

United States;"

As far as I understand it is not a big issue but I would like to hear from anyone who has any experience with this.

Thanks a lot!

If he is applying after 3 years he would be applying in the bases of marriage. He would be asked to prove that they are married in the application and at the interview. Your friend does need to wait until he is a permanent resident (check date on GC) for 5 years.

Heya Pretty sis!!!...hehehe...as far as I know, application for citizenship relies on one's length of stay..other's can even push through their ROC even if they had divorced as long as they came here in good faith..you can check the USCIS website to clarify everything coz other's said you can apply for citizenship after your 3 years of stay here in US(which I'm not so sure about..hehehe)...God bless...